Pobondzie is a picturesque village in the Sulawesi region, located near the border with Lithuania. It is here that Łukasz Łanczkowski of ŁAŁ Architektura designed a house that harmoniously fits into this breathtaking landscape.
The house is located in the village of Pobondzie in the Sulvashchyna region
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Cottage on a green hill
Thehouse in Pobondzie is intended for vacation rentals. Thus, the project included not only the creation of the building itself, but also the concept of a potential larger development complex. Accordingly, a number of urban and view analyses were carried out, so that the house in Pobondziach could successfully exist as an independent structure in the existing context and as an element of a larger ensemble. The architecture was to relate in shape and scale to the local habitat development - so that the building would invariably maintain harmony with its surroundings. Moreover, the architect had to take into account the sloping terrain. The lump of the building therefore leans against the slope, following its natural contours. Thanks to these assumptions, it was possible to determine the optimal location of the house, which with its silhouette fits picturesquely into the landscape.
The house is placed on a plot with a sloping terrain
Photo: Piotr Rutkowski
- This is a special project for me. This is the first residential building designed after I got my construction license (although, of course, it is the result of many years of previously collected experience and education), and it is the showcase of my studio ŁAŁ Architektura, whose goal is to create architecture that is thoughtful, respects the landscape and meets the needs of the investor," recalls Lukasz Łanczkowski.
The building is inscribed in the escarpment
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Harmonious transition between interior and exterior
The entrance to the house from the west side was designed with convenience and aesthetics in mind. A footbridge leads to it, which allows comfortable access at ground level, eliminating the need to climb stairs. To its left is a small terrace, which serves both a utilitarian function, providing easy access to the fuel storeroom, as well as creating a transitional space between the environment and the interior of the building. The utility room, hidden behind a door blended into the facade, remains discreetly hidden, maintaining the integrity of the minimalist facade. The centerpiece of the footbridge is the main entrance to the house. A glazed door of milky glass provides privacy for residents, and after dark subtly illuminates the facade, making orientation easier. The entire composition of the entrance facade exudes peace and harmony, while foreshadowing the unique character of the interior.
The entrance to the cottage has been discreetly hidden
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
- I believe that architecture is a concept that goes far beyond the definition of a building and its function. I wanted to create an object that "understands" the existing context, and its use becomes a kind of adventure. The spatial treatments used create the right atmosphere to fully appreciate the nature surrounding the house," explains the architect.
The building is inspired by the surrounding nature
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Facade made of wood and material for... eaves
Finding a contractor for the building proved to be a huge challenge. Many of them refused to cooperate, claiming that such a structure would surely collapse or proposing to redesign it.
- It turned out to be a hit to hire Pawel Sulima, who passionately and committedly undertook the realization of the house, making a few minor changes to the structure, not affecting the final result, says the project's author.
The wooden facade was not impregnated
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
One of the elements that posed a challenge to the contractor was the facade. The openwork wooden facade required a lot of commitment. The cross-section and spacing of the boards were important. First, the architect modeled the facade in 3D, so that their spacing and depth could be properly selected. Then the investor, Piotr Rutkowski, made a prototype of the facade, which he put to the test of time. The investor and the architect jointly agreed that the effect was more than satisfactory. Such a facade also requires the use of a suitable UV-resistant wind barrier. Another difficulty was to protect the facade from rodents. This required a suitably strong, openwork material. Lukasz Lanczkowski suggested making the protection from perforated mesh dedicated to traditional eaves. The black powder-coated material worked perfectly. It is also more affordable than perforated sheet dedicated to the facade. The boards themselves were originally to be impregnated, but the investor decided that a natural patina and no impregnation would be the best solution.
The openwork wooden facade required a UV-resistant wind barrier
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Unusual functional layout
Immediately after entering the house, on the left side, there is a capacious closet and a door to the bathroom. In it you will find a narrow lap window placed by the sink. It opens the view to the north, while providing access to natural light. Thoughtful organization of the space also made it possible to separate a small storage room, where an electric stove and a hot water storage tank were placed. The main entrance axis of the house leads to a central point, where the staircase branches off into two mezzanines. Steps up direct to a small bedroom, whose unusual form and character are already visible from the hall. The well-thought-out composition of the space gives the interior a dynamic but harmonious layout, and the visual continuity between levels emphasizes the unique shape of this part of the house.
Ground floor plan
© ŁAŁ Architektura
Floor plan of the attic
© LA³ Architecture
Going down from the entrance area, we find ourselves below the bedroom. Its body is the main organizer of space in the living area. The hanging ceiling of the bedroom defines the kitchen area, and a slanted wall symmetrically connects to the opposite slope, creating a gabled space over the dining area. The staircase going down to the living area is the result of the house "falling" down the slope. The use of this treatment significantly reduced the height of the gable wall on the east side, which allowed the building set on the hill to maintain a reasonable scale.
View this post on Instagram
Modern living area
The interior exudes a modern yet warm character, combining elements of minimalist architecture with cozy details. A spacious living room combined with a dining room and kitchenette creates an open and cohesive living area. The dominant material is wood, which harmonizes with the black accents seen in the kitchen and on the furnishings. The main element of the lounge area is a large velour sofa in a shade of bottle green, which brings a touch of color and contrast to the interior. The piece of furniture was placed on a natural braided carpet, which adds to the coziness and emphasizes the organic character of the arrangement. A low, simple coffee table with a wooden top and metal base adds to the loft character. To the left, in the dining area, is a wooden table surrounded by simple black chairs. The whole is complemented by two minimalist black lamps, which blend perfectly with the rest of the decor. The wall behind the table has been landscaped with wooden shelves, where books, decorations and audio equipment are placed. The shelves add functionality to the interior and allow for a subtle display of elements that give the interior its individual character.
From the green sofa we can enjoy a breathtaking view
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Deep in the room is a black kitchen with an island, which is an elegant and modern element of the interior. The dark colors of the furniture contrast with the light floor and wooden accents, creating a distinct visual effect. The cabinet above the island is highlighted with a geometric pattern, giving it a futuristic but subtle look. On the right side of the living room you'll find comfortable retro armchairs with wooden armrests and a free-standing fireplace, which adds warmth and a homey feel to the interior. Several potted plants have been arranged around, which enliven the space and emphasize the ecological character of the design. The entire interior is perfectly illuminated. As a result, the space is bright, and the wood and greenery in the arrangement gain even more depth.
The living area consists of a kitchen, dining room and living room
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Bedroom like a telescope
To the right of the entrance area is the master bedroom. The room is distinguished by a large lap window. The 1.8 m x 1.6 m window is placed in the slope opposite the bed. This allows one to enjoy the view of the stars just before falling asleep. For this reason, the room received the humorous name "telescope." Such a large size of the slope window required a facade system, as no manufacturer was able to offer a suitable product. To the left of the bed is a small viewing window that connects the bedroom to the living area. It is coordinated with the window on the opposite wall, which provides not only a view of the stars at night, but also the opportunity to admire the woods and lake in the morning. Thanks to this solution, the interior gains additional depth and spaciousness. The window also allows subtle contact with the rest of the household - lying in bed, you can see life going on in the living area and greet loved ones with a smile. In addition, a small skylight window located behind the bed promotes natural air circulation, providing better sleeping comfort and freshness in the room.
The bedroom is called a "telescope"
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
- The "telescope" bedroom required quite unusual design solutions. The investor was very keen on an open view from the kitchen, so no pillar support on the side of the island was out of the question. So I thought of hooking up the bedroom wall to the truss structure. With the help of the builder, we designed a wooden truss connected to the rafters, which holds the hanging ceiling of the bedroom, and is itself supported by the exterior walls of the building," the architect explains.
A large window opposite the bed makes it possible to watch the sky
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Interior open to the landscape
The highlight of the design is undoubtedly the impressive glazing that stretches across the entire corner of the house. Framed in this way, the window allows you to fully enjoy the view of the beautiful Suwalki region. As a result, it becomes the main element connecting the interior with nature. With a minimal number of vertical divisions, the glazing introduces little intrusion into the viewing space, allowing you to fully enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Corner glazing allows you to enjoy the view outside the window
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
With the aim of being as open to the surroundings as possible, a steel pillar was used in the corner of the building to support the wooden structure, minimizing any restriction on the perception of the surrounding greenery. The same glazing also included an exit to the terrace - or rather, terraces, which are an integral part of the body of the building.
Two terraces are part of the body of the building
Photo by Piotr Rutkowski
Are you building a house? We have more tips for you!
Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
